From Nacogdoches to Natchitoches, the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail offers a wealth of interactive historical landmarks and entertainment venues. Follow in the footsteps of Stephen F. Austin, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, and many more with our step-by-step itinerary of significant landmarks, missions, presidios, and historic locales interspersed with local businesses, quaint restaurants, sightseeing destinations, and entertainment venues.
Our journey began in Nacogdoches where Whitney Ronzello whips up yummy baked goods at Blue Horse Bakery, and we took part in a thrilling zipline experience through the trees at ZipNac in Nacogdoches. For a slower-paced sophisticated option, Naca Valley Vineyard provides southern hospitality, rustic design, vintage touches, and a relaxed ambience at this charming family-owned winery which houses a tasting room, winemaking facility, and winery lab nestled among the piney woods. We also drove by the historic James J. Bewley House in San Augustine where, in the early 1900's, Mr. Bewley used binoculars from his second floor balcony to keep up with the goings on in the nearby downtown area.
Taking a somber moment of reflection to recall all seven astronauts of the Columbia space shuttle disaster and Sabine County's role in recovery efforts, our stop by the Remembering Columbia museum afforded an opportunity to examine exhibits including personal items of the astronauts as well as a digital learning center and a short video documentary entitled Of Good Courage. Further along the route, at Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, costumed interpreters demonstrate French Colonial life and guide visitors through a full-sized replica of an early fort which had been devised in 1714 as a trading and military outpost to counter any Spanish incursions into French territory. At the end of such an informative and enjoyable trip, we enjoyed spectacular lakeside scenic views on the golf course during our overnight stay at Cypress Bend Resort on Toledo Bend Lake.
To plan your own trip along this richly-historical landmarked route, read the full travel series with step-by-step itinerary at:
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
